I just signed up with 1-VOIP which uses nomorobo to reject spam calls. I also had a CPR5000 call blocker but it is not needed anymore. In addition, I have a phone set from Vtech which has several call screening features, including one that makes an unknown caller announce themselves before the call is presented. You then either accept or reject the call. I think the Vtech set is the same as the AT&T. No more spam calls.
I like my CPR Call Blocker. But perhaps I do something a little different than you are doing. When a call comes in, and including Spam Alert, I let it continue to ring. Then the answer machine kicks in. If no message is left, then I pull that number up on the CPR Call blocker, then I block it. If, instead there is a message left (like a doctor appointment reminder) I'll listen to the message,delete it but won't add it to the call blocker. So far, I've never seen a number 'blocked' by me ever call again.
Bill
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Nomorobo (which is free for land lines) has made a measurable difference for us - no cost or downside to try it if your phone service supports it.
When power is out and the cell towers are down how do you call for help ??? Land lines still work !!! Telephone CO. have back-up generators with auto start to keep their batteries charged so your land line will work to call for Fire, Police or Doctor. Retired AT T tech, Power was 1 of my jobs, covering 30,000 business and home customers.
jerryc41 wrote:
When I get most phone calls, my caller ID indicates, "Spam Risk." I pick up and hang up. Occasionally, I'll take a chance and answer. Then I get someone trying to sell me something or a politician asking for my vote. It's too bad companies are allowed to make random phone calls. Sure, it provides jobs for people, but that's no excuse.
I have a great call blocker that no longer blocks calls. Well, it does block my phone when I call home, but it doesn't block unwanted calls. It's the CPR 10000. If you have a recommendation for a good blocker, I'd like to hear about it.
When I get most phone calls, my caller ID indicate... (
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I have an Apple phone and it has a feature that silences all calls from people that aren't in your contact list. Apple flashes the call across the screen when it comes in and then takes it directly to VM. It's great not to hear all of those calls anymore. I don't know what phone you have but maybe you have it too and don't realize it. Google it.
jerryc41 wrote:
When I get most phone calls, my caller ID indicates, "Spam Risk." I pick up and hang up. Occasionally, I'll take a chance and answer. Then I get someone trying to sell me something or a politician asking for my vote. It's too bad companies are allowed to make random phone calls. Sure, it provides jobs for people, but that's no excuse.
I have a great call blocker that no longer blocks calls. Well, it does block my phone when I call home, but it doesn't block unwanted calls. It's the CPR 10000. If you have a recommendation for a good blocker, I'd like to hear about it.
When I get most phone calls, my caller ID indicate... (
show quote)
I use an Apple iPhone 12 Max Pro. In the phone section in settings, it has a button called “silence unknown callers”. I keep that turned on all the time. With that on, the only calls that will ring through to your phone are people stored in your contact list. If they’re not a saved contact, it goes straight to voicemail without your phone ever ringing. I find out of 100 calls that end up going to voicemail, only 2 or 3 leave a voicemail.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
14kphotog wrote:
When power is out and the cell towers are down how do you call for help ??? Land lines still work !!! Telephone CO. have back-up generators with auto start to keep their batteries charged so your land line will work to call for Fire, Police or Doctor. Retired AT T tech, Power was 1 of my jobs, covering 30,000 business and home customers.
Yes indeed, POTS (plain old telephone service) is VERY reliable!
Amielee
Loc: Eastern Washington State
Area code 962 has not been assigned. If you get a call from that area code it is always spam.
jerryc41 wrote:
When I get most phone calls, my caller ID indicates, "Spam Risk." I pick up and hang up……
I will text or speak in a very authoritative voice the following. Spam calls and texts stop almost immediately.
“You have reached the telephone number of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. You must delete this number, never call this number again and never share it with anyone. This is your only warning. You will be prosecuted to the full extent of Law.”
As long as the phone companies and cell phone service providers can derive income from the spammers we will never see an end to the spam calls. If the FCC would make the phone companies and Cell service providers financially responsible for the spammers I would bet that spam calls would stop immediately!
Scruples wrote:
I will text or speak in a very authoritative voice the following. Spam calls and texts stop almost immediately.
“You have reached the telephone number of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. You must delete this number, never call this number again and never share it with anyone. This is your only warning. You will be prosecuted to the full extent of Law.”
And then you see that it's your elderly aunt from far away calling.
A recording of that would be good.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
jerryc41 wrote:
The alternative is to let the phone ring ten times.
If my phone rings and it's a number I don't want to answer, I press the sound button on my phone and the ringing stops. It doesn't answer the call, just stops the ring.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Longshadow wrote:
Yes.
Land line works when cell phone battery dead or tower out. (Backup phone)
Land line works during a power outage (We have one "plain" phone.)
911 knows exactly where I'm located.
We have no bells & whistles on the land line ,local only, $30/month with taxes.
Maybe someday we'll ditch it.
If the tower is out (we have minimal signal from the local towers anyway) the wifi is used for my cell phone.
My battery runs out maybe twice a year and I usually notice and it only takes a minute to charge it to the point where it works again.
I dropped the land line about 10 years ago since we only got spam calls on it.
Longshadow wrote:
Yes.
Land line works when cell phone battery dead or tower out. (Backup phone)
Land line works during a power outage (We have one "plain" phone.)
911 knows exactly where I'm located.
We have no bells & whistles on the land line ,local only, $30/month with taxes.
Maybe someday we'll ditch it.
I too feel the benefits (actually protections) you noted justify the cost of a landline.
Can't recommend a call blocker, but I did get a call recently that wanted me to return the call so they could confirm that I am deceased. Since I am deceased I didn't call.
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